B204 Conversion

[Pilky]

Hi fellas,

Not been on here for a while been busy with work. I'm thinking of doing a engine conversion with me Cav. I'm wanting more power and speed now from her. She is a 1.8 LS good little engine but i want more now. I'm just after some hints, tips and advice really before i make my final decision changing to a b204 lump. I'm going to start a WIP thread also soon.

Regards

Adam

[Lowrider Dave]

Tbh, it may well be easier to buy a 2.0 than to go down the conversion route, but if you have the space, tools and time then go for it. Insurance may be a sting though

[Cavalier342]

To be fair, I'm not a fan of engine conversions myself, although it has been done by a member on here, I can't remember if it was a B203 or a 204 though.

Way I see it is if you want power, get a big car Either way, insurance will cost you more as Dave said.

[humbucker]

B204 is a great idea if you're planning an engine swap and don't have oodles of cash to throw around. The difference in cost between a B204 and a C20LET is remarkable, and while we're all fans of the trusty LET, you can buy absolutely everything you need to do a B204 conversion for a third of the price of a LET and still have change to spare. The 204 is a tuneable engine too, but if you're not planning to tweak your donor lump too much then consider the possibility of fitting a less obvious Saab powerplant. For example, a B235R is 250bhp out of the box. Not sure which gearboxes you can mate the 235R to (Vectra VXR F40?), but I think I'm right in saying that the 204 will mate up to a bunch of different Vauxhall gearboxes. Around 200bhp standard power output iirc.

[HAIRIBO]

Way I see it is if you want power, get a big car

???? the saab standard power is similar to the cavalier/calibra turbo unit.

And the Omega is a big car, yet came with a 2 litre ecotec which had less power than a cavalier GSi/Early Sri 16v

I don't understand your comment

[Cavalier342]

I mean the big V6 engined Omegas, nobody wants a 2 liter ecotec!

Generally speaking, bigger cars - bigger engines - more power

[humbucker]

I mean the big V6 engined Omegas, nobody wants a 2 liter ecotec!

Generally speaking, bigger cars - bigger engines - more power

Even a 2.5 V6 Omega/Cavalier/Calibra is only capable of chucking out more-or-less the same power as an XE in standard form. It offers a fair amount of torque, but bhp is on par with a Red Top. 3.2 V6 is closer to 220bhp in standard form, which would be a good swap on a Cavalier (especially one that was originally running a 2.5), but I can understand the drive towards a B204 if forced induction is your thing.

LETs, B204s and YB Cosworths are all pretty much the same bhp in factory specification.

Of course, turning your equation on its head: smaller cars - bigger engines - even greater use of (delivery of) power than the donor vehicle

[Cavalier342]

I give up, I'm getting old..... small car - small engine, big car - big engine, that's how it should be.

[humbucker]

I give up, I'm getting old..... small car - small engine, big car - big engine, that's how it should be.

Small car - big engine, big car - big engine

[McFall1984]

a chap close to me swapped out a ecotec sri engine for a b204 from a saab,
just completed it an is now for sale
http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/cars-for-sal ... on/7721959

[Hayward691]

Generally speaking, bigger cars - bigger engines - more power

I might have to argue this one... I had a cinquecento with a 1.2 16v conversion
That could destroy a lot of bigger engine big cars on acceleration...
If I had fitted the longer ratio gearbox it could easy of got to 120...

Mates got a Cinq with a 1.4 16v that is a complete monster!!!

Engine size isn't everything...

Take into account power to weight ratios...
Lol